Clasp.



PATENTED MAR. 6, 1906.

A. E. BUNDSEN.

CLASP. APPLICATION FILED 0012s, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLF E. BUNDSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 6, 1 906.

' ing or holding different objects or materials in bundle form, and especially for use as a substitute for rubber bands or twine in holding paper moneyor documents together, the

said clasp being adapted to be easily and quickly applied to a number of documents orpaper moneyand to thus, as stated, serve as a substitute for rubber bands or twine.

To the foregoing and other useful ends my invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l-isa perspective view illustrating the application of my improved clasp to a bundle of papers or documents. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the two parts of the clasps separated. Fig. 3 shows another form of clasp. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view showing the manner in which one part of the clasp engages the other part.

As shown in Fig. 2, for example, the clasp comprises two metal parts A and B, each U- shaped, or substantially U-shaped, in character. The part A comprises a horizontal upper portion a, connecting the upper ends of two vertically-disposed side portions a. It will be seen that these side portions flare slightly at their lower ends and are provided with hooks or engaging portions (L The part B comprises a lower horizontal portion b, connecting the lower ends of the two verticallydisposed side portions 1). As shown, the said side portions of the part B are provided with horizontal slots b arranged one above the other in vertical rows. With this construction the clasp can be applied to a bundle of papers or documents, as shown in Fig. 1. In doing this it is only necessary to first place the papers or other articles within the part B and to then place the part A in position to have the hooks a engage the said slots. When the two parts A- and B have been brought together or telescoped to an extent to more or less compress the papers or other articles, the two side portions 0 can then be sprung inward or bent together sufficiently to cause the hooks a to project through the slots in the side portions in the part B. i As soon as the two parts are thus in engagement the resiliency or pressure of the papers or other articles will be suflicient to keep the hooks a from springing outwardly. In order to release the clasp from the bundle,

it is only necessary to crowd the part A downwardly until the hooks a of their own accord spring out of engagement with the slots in the part B.

The construction shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that shown in Fig. 2, but with the exception that the two parts will of their own accord spring into locking engagement with each other and must then be separated by hand. The construction comprises the upper U- shaped, or substantially U-shaped,partC,having the horizontal portion 0, the vertical portions 0, and the hooks 0 It also includes the lower U-shaped, or substantially U-shaped, member D, having a horizontal portion (1 and vertical portions (1, the latter being provided with horizontal slots (1 With this arrangement it is only necessary in order to apply the clasp to a bundle to press the part C downwardly as much as possible, and the hooks c of their own accord spring into engagement with the slots in the lower part D but in removing the clasp thus constructed it is necessary to take hold of the said portions 0 and spring their lower ends out of engagement with the said slots. In either case, however, it is evident that the clasp consists of two U- shaped, or substantially U-shaped, members, whereof one has its ends adapted for locking engagement with any two of a series of slots or recesses with which the side portions of the other member are provided.

In Fig. 4 the hook a is shown in looking engagement with the slot 11 It will be readily understood that the clasp thus constructed can be made of any suitable metal bent into the desired shape.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a clasp, the combination of two metal members whereof one has its end portions adapted for locking engagement with any two of a plurality of transverse slots with which the side portions of the other member are provided, each member consisting of a single integral fiat strip of flexible and springy sheet metal bent into the desired shape, and the side portions of the sheet-metal member which has its ends turned in to provide hooks being adapted, when the two members are locked together, to lie flatwise upon or against the outer side surfaces of the two slotted sheet-metal side portions of the other member, said hooks being adapted to pass readily over and outside of the two longitudinal rows of transverse slots in the other member, without catching in said slots, when the two members are moved toward each other, but adapted to be firmly engaged in said slots by slight relative movement of the two members away from each other, and to thereby prevent separation of the two members, substantially as set forth.

2. In a clasp, the combination of two Illinois, this 26th day of October, 1904. for locking engagement with each other, the

members having their side portions adapted springy or resilient side portions of one member being tensioned to spring outwardly and away from the side portions of the other member, when the two interlocked members are pressed toward each other to release one from the other, and the said springy or resilient side portions of the sheet-metal member which has its ends turned in to provide hooks being adapted, when the two members are locked together, tolie fiatwise upon or against the outer side surfaces of the two slotted sheet-metal side portions of the other member, said hooks being adapted to pass readily over and outside of the two longitudinal rows of transverse slots in the other member, without catching in said slots, when the two members are moved toward each other, but adapted to be firmly engaged in said slots by slight relative movement of the two members away from each other, and to thereby prevent separation of the two members, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county,

ADOLF E. BUNDSEN.

Witnesses:

CLARENCE M. THORNE, LUCY W. WRIGHT. 

